Ghost Stories for Christmas

I believe that Mark Gatiss' adaptation of the Tractate Middoth, which aired during Christmas 2013, will likely be released on DVD soon. It could potentially mark the beginning of a BBC revival of the Ghost Stories for Christmas tradition. In the meantime, if you are familiar with the classic seventies versions, this set is highly recommended and offers great value at around forty pounds, even if you already own earlier versions.

This comment is not a review of the adaptations of 8 classic M.R. James stories from page to film, including the narrated stories by Christopher Lee, Robert Powell, and Michael Bryant. It also does not discuss additional stories like The Signal Man, Stigma, and the Ice House. However, these adaptations hold a special place in my heart. When I was around 11 years old, I watched my first M.R. James story called The Lost Hearts. The image of two spectral children walking down Mr Abney's hallway with pale hands and long talon-like fingernails crossed over each other gave me sleepless nights back then and will stay with me forever. I fell in love with that adaptation and every one shown thereafter. I have purchased all three available box sets because watching BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas has become a tradition during the holiday season for me